Villa la Joya

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

ATTENTION: &nbsp;Mike and Ariane's wedding has been postponed until further notice. &nbsp;There will be no wedding on April 6th, 2019. &nbsp;It has been a rough year for these two and the couple&nbsp;is requesting more time to heal after the tragedy of losing Mike's father. &nbsp;Please keep them both&nbsp;in your prayers,&nbsp;as well as Mike's family. &nbsp;We appreciate you all for&nbsp;your love and understanding.

WEDDING CANCELED - PLEASE READ

Oh where do we start...&nbsp;Mike and Ariane met through&nbsp;this little thing called Facebook. &nbsp;Yup, the Internet! &nbsp;After months of Facebook flirting, Mike finally&nbsp;sent Ariane a message... a&nbsp;business proposal message. &nbsp;Smooth Mike, smooth! &nbsp;&nbsp;After a few months of &nbsp;"mysteriously trying to read&nbsp;each other",&nbsp;Mike asked Ariane to attend a business conference on September 23rd, 2014. &nbsp;It was a&nbsp;Tuesday night. &nbsp;With Ariane's busy work schedule at the time, she ended&nbsp;up arriving&nbsp;towards the end of the conference. Or maybe she showed up late on purpose.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sorry Mike! &nbsp;Jokes set aside, these two closed down the Atrium Hotel&nbsp;hours later leaving with big smiles and fluttered hearts.&nbsp; You can say they hit it off! &nbsp;The chemistry was real and oh&nbsp;boy, was the attraction there. &nbsp;Since then, the witty&nbsp;conversations continued on a daily basis. &nbsp;When I say conversations, I mean 3-4 hour&nbsp;conversations into the wee-hours of the morning. &nbsp;What a bunch of talkers! &nbsp;

How They Met

Clearly Mike and Ariane discovered they had a "thing"&nbsp;at this point but continued to&nbsp;keep&nbsp;it friendly, professional and of course, fun. &nbsp;After Ariane explained to Mike that her business partner wouldn't be able to make the meeting, Mike insisted to meet her anyway. &nbsp; The second meeting was at Wild Goose in Costa Mesa. &nbsp;Ariane's favorite country bar at the time.&nbsp; Now that they got the business chat out of the way, they talked more&nbsp;about their personal lives. Their family, passions, drive, hearts, etc. There was a real connection here.&nbsp;A few drinks later and after hours of conversation, they realized they were closing the&nbsp;bar down on a&nbsp;week night. &nbsp;At this point, Ariane was crushing on Mike pretty hard but still couldn't figure him out. &nbsp;Was he really into her or did he really want to make this business sale? &nbsp;Keep in mind that Ariane's man picker was off for quite some time prior to meeting Mike. &nbsp;She felt like this was possibly&nbsp;too&nbsp;good to be true. &nbsp;Mike was a complete gentleman and walked Ariane to her car to say&nbsp;their goodbyes. &nbsp;Kiss? &nbsp;Nope, no kiss! &nbsp;They both left smiling ear to ear and the mystery continues. &nbsp;

The Second Date... "Business Date"

Weeks have gone by since they last saw each other and Mike still hasn't made a move yet? &nbsp;Having the nervous feelings of switching from a "business mindset" to a "I like this girl" mindset was tricky. &nbsp;He was clueless Ariane was into him. &nbsp;

Ariane was slightly hungover after attending a friends party the night before. &nbsp;Of course, Mike being the gentleman he is, offered&nbsp;to get Ariane anything to make her feel better. &nbsp;He didn't care, he just wanted to see her. &nbsp;After Ariane making a funny joke about going and&nbsp;getting a massage, Mike found his window and&nbsp;quickly took&nbsp;that as an invitation to come over and give her a massage...&nbsp;Typical male&nbsp;response.&nbsp;Ha! &nbsp;Crap, now Ariane has to clean her house and not look hungover. &nbsp;As much as she was feeling the hangover, she was excited that Mike wanted to come over just to come over. &nbsp;After a great evening&nbsp;of sitting on the couch, eating Taco Jr.&nbsp;and talking, Mike FINALLY&nbsp;(without warning) made THE&nbsp;MOVE. &nbsp;Yup, Ariane didn't see that coming. &nbsp;Things are getting real at this point... &nbsp;Ariane never did get that massage. &nbsp;

He Made A Move

Most of you who know Mike and Ariane's&nbsp;story,&nbsp;know that there was a bit of a gap between Mike&nbsp;making&nbsp;the&nbsp;first&nbsp;move and their first&nbsp;official&nbsp;&nbsp;date. &nbsp;Let's just say things went a little fast&nbsp;and Ariane wasn't quite ready for that. &nbsp;Although Mike seemed like the perfect guy, she wasn't ready to let her&nbsp;walls down just yet. &nbsp;I'm pretty sure all of Ariane's girlfriends could agree&nbsp;that she wasn't exactly the casual dating type. &nbsp;Although she ultimately wanted to find love, getting hurt was her biggest&nbsp;fear. &nbsp;First dates was something she dreaded! &nbsp;Ariane&nbsp;continued to push off plans with Mike but&nbsp;there was something about him she couldn't let go of. &nbsp;From the first time they exchanged numbers, there wasn't a single day that went by without some sort of&nbsp;communication. &nbsp;Mike saw something in Ariane he had never seen before and wouldn't give up. &nbsp;He&nbsp;told her to take all the space she needed and he would wait for her. &nbsp;He showed her patience, love, and affection even when everyone told him to give up. &nbsp;After all, aren't those the exact signs of someone blowing you off? &nbsp;

Two months later...&nbsp;Ariane's roommate at the time (Stacey Chappius) refused to&nbsp;let Ariane flake once again. &nbsp;She told Ariane&nbsp;she&nbsp;was going on this date!! &nbsp;Mike showed up at her door with nothing less than a big fat kiss. &nbsp;He had envisioned this moment happening&nbsp;in his head&nbsp;over and over again. &nbsp;The rush of emotions were back as if they hadn't gone a day without seeing each other. &nbsp;With our hot chocolate in hand, we walked the streets of Brea Olinda,&nbsp;holding hands while being&nbsp;mesmerized by the beautiful Christmas lights. &nbsp;Mike's patience paid off, the pursuit was over&nbsp;and Ariane finally&nbsp;let down her walls.&nbsp;

To this day, Ariane calls Stacey her saving grace for making her face her fears and take a chance on the guy God intended her to be with. &nbsp;

The First Official Date

Almost 4 years later,&nbsp;here we are! &nbsp;In love and ready to start the next chapter. &nbsp;We have had so many amazing people come into our lives from then to now and we&nbsp;couldn't be happier to share this truly magical&nbsp;moment with you all. &nbsp;If you're reading this, you're one of them! &nbsp;See you on the Mexico&nbsp;dance floor. :)

Almost Four Years Later...  

Our Story

Details

Photos

Little sister of the Bride! &nbsp;Well, only by 11 months. &nbsp;Has a heart of gold and a girlie side but&nbsp;can out-shoot and fish better than most guys. Mother of two and still graduated with a 4.0 GPA.&nbsp;&nbsp;Definitely got the brains in the family. &nbsp;My keeper of secrets&nbsp;and&nbsp;my best friend for life..

Cherish Wiebe

Aka&nbsp;“Spanky”...&nbsp; Younger brother of the groom. Got his nickname&nbsp;freshman year in the men’s locker room shower...just&nbsp;ask Lee Mitchell. &nbsp;Definitely the better athlete of the two. Jeff can hit a golf ball farther than most guys on the PGA Tour and even though he can legally carry a gun, he’s still the baby brother.

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Jeff LaRue

Sister-in-law of the Bride! &nbsp;Married to Ariane's brother,&nbsp;Brian...&nbsp;23&nbsp;years strong.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yup, they were high school sweethearts.&nbsp; Extremely close with Ariane growing up and has maintained the big sister role to this day.&nbsp; Took her to Vegas for the first time when she was 20.&nbsp;&nbsp;Side by side or miles apart, her and Ariane&nbsp;are like real&nbsp;sisters connected by&nbsp;heart.

Danielle Lynch

Aka “Pop”... Mike and Jimmy go way back to high school.&nbsp; To this day, they still laugh at their inside jokes from 20 years ago. Practically a brother, these two have been through thick and thin&nbsp;and no matter how much time goes by (without a “PING”)&nbsp;picking up where things left off is never an issue.

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Jimmy Luster

LA Bestie/Ride or Die! &nbsp;Ariane's&nbsp;blonde&nbsp;twin sister from another minster. &nbsp;No joke, they are the&nbsp;same human in different bodies. &nbsp;Co-host of The Freddie & Alyssa Show, recently engaged, travel buddies, and is currently planning twin weddings with the bride!.

Alyssa Tabbit

Aka “Clif”...&nbsp;Practically another brother. Clif is the only reason Mike went to Westmont College. &nbsp;They were roomies at Westmont and in Oklahoma where they played baseball for a summer. Clif and his wife Christine gifted Mike a book many years ago that impacted his life in more ways than one..

Mike Clifton 

Aka “B”... &nbsp;Mike's brother-in-law. Responsible for getting&nbsp;Mike drunk for the first time.&nbsp; Mike indirectly set&nbsp;Brandon&nbsp;up with his sister, Angie&nbsp;over 23 years ago. One of the smartest guys he&nbsp;knows and has&nbsp;maintained the big brother role since they met at Sport Chalet back in 1993..

Brandon Portnoff

Bako to OC &nbsp;but now lives in SD&nbsp;bestie! &nbsp;Loves animals more than people. Makes a mean guacamole and knows how to&nbsp;throw down some old school gangster&nbsp;rap. Don't let that fool you though... this mamacita is a sweet&nbsp;county girl at heart..

Jill Watts

Aka “G”... &nbsp;Mike's other brother-in-law.&nbsp; Probably the most bad ass person on the planet. &nbsp;If the U.S. were under attack, you’d find Mike and Ariane hiding&nbsp;behind him. &nbsp;Geoff was also responsible for saving numerous lives at the Las Vegas shooting. &nbsp;We thank God everyday that him and Cori&nbsp;are still with us. &nbsp;&nbsp;He was recently&nbsp;awarded the Medal of Valor from the head of ATF... It's the highest national award for Valor presented to a public safety officer. So yeah, he's a bad ass and the wedding party is pretty much safe.

Geoff Rice

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

It is best to fly into Cancun International Airport. Playa Del Carmen is about 30 minutes away. Taking a cab from the airport is known to be more expensive than hiring a car before hand. Most hotels offer a shuttle from the airport to the hotel, and there are many other shuttle services (private and public) that go straight to your hotel of choice, or the heart of Playa Del Carmen. A very economical option is also to rent a car.

Airport

This is where the bride and groom will be staying!! &nbsp;Please see below for instructions on how to get discounted rooms at Breathless. Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa is a vibrant, chic and modern all-suite resort for adults seeking a sophisticated and lively getaway! Our layout consisting of 526 ultra-contemporary suites and three horseshoe shaped buildings and sections, each with their own unique personality and vibe, offers singles, couples, and friends the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Discover a state of tranquility when you Breathe Deep in the xhale club section after a rejuvenating spa treatment at relax Spa by Pevonia®, mix and mingle at a water aerobics class or with a curated cocktail in hand by the energy pool, or become immersed in entertainment and dance to the music of international DJ’s in the xcelerate zone. Enjoy the&nbsp;Unlimited-Luxury®&nbsp;inclusions of boundless gourmet dining and premium brand beverages at ten trendy restaurants and nine bars and lounges, along with 24-hour room and concierge services, a captivating events calendar and more. The options are endless at Breathless Riviera Cancun! **SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS** We have special discounted rates&nbsp;on this Resort for those interested in staying here. &nbsp;You will be honored whatever discount is offered at the time of booking. &nbsp;If you see a better deal on another travel site for this exact hotel during the same time, please screen shot it. &nbsp;This hotel will not only match the discounted rate but they will go 25% less than that rate. &nbsp;So keep your eyes peeled!! &nbsp;If this happens, they will refund you the difference. &nbsp; Please call the number listed above. &nbsp;This is a special number that takes you straight to membership vacation club member services. &nbsp; 1-877-923-2582, select option #1 (English), then&nbsp;select option #1 (Booking) Membership #EC1-001598 Passcode: Ricericebaby#2 / “LaRue Wedding” A huge THANK YOU to&nbsp;Cori & Geoff Rice for letting us use their discounted membership!

Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa - Adults Only

Harmonious. Sublime. Exquisite. All-Inclusive Resort.

Hidden away on one of the most pristine and famous beaches in all of Mexico, this AAA Five Diamond Resort is the quintessential setting for adult adventure, relaxation, romance and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.secretsresorts.com/content/site/amr/secretsresorts/en_us/resorts/mexico/maroma-beach-riviera-cancun/unlimited-luxury.html" target="_self">Unlimited-Luxury®</a>.

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Adults Only

Renting a car in this area is VERY CHEAP. A dollar or 2 a day, even. Just make sure you are aware that the international insurance is $24 a day. Many personal insurance companies cover their drivers internationally, so they will waive the cost if you bring proof of that. Please call the car company you have chosen to rent from to see what their company requires you to bring to prove this and have the fee waved. Each are different.

Car Rental

Nestled between 5th ave and 800 feet of pristine Playa del Carmen beach, the newly transformed Mahekal Beach Resort brings you the more luxurious Playa del Carmen resort experience. It includes a spa, a gym, and many oceanfront restaurants and cantinas. Each room type -- Garden View, Ocean View, Treehouses, Penthouses, Ocean Front or Beach Houses -- features individual outdoor terraces and personal hammocks. Breakfast and Dinner, or Lunch, daily are included with your room; if you are on their Meal Plan rates.

Mahekal Beach Resort

USA Transfers is the most reliable transfers company in the area, offering Cancun & Riviera Maya airport transfers and tours, with unbeatable prices! * Note prices are round-trip for entire vehicle. * Private Transfer. * They will also stop by the grocery store for you if you want to stock up on anything!

Airport Transfer

If you are staying in Playa Del Carmen, then you are staying in a very walkable area! All around you, you will find restaurants, shopping, bars, nightclubs, and the beach!

Walkability

Senses Riviera Maya By Artisan is a 5 star all inclusive hotel for a very affordable price. It is about 12 miles away from Playa Del Carmen (where the rehearsal dinner, hotels, and bars are), but it is directly next to the Wedding Venue! Those who are looking for a quieter atmosphere should seek this location. The 38 Deluxe King rooms with cozy king size beds, enormous 60" screens and a complete series of amenities will make you feel at home. They have 2 restaurants, a rooftop pool and pool bar, free round trip service to Playa Del Carmen, and free parking (for those renting cars).

Senses Riviera Maya by Artisan - Adults Only

Very cute, affordable boutique hotel in the heart of Play del Carmen! Right on 5th Ave., walking distance to all restaurants and shops. 1 block from the beach.

Unic Design Hotel

Can't beat this location. Right on the beach, but also right off of 5th ave where all the fun is! Each room has its own terrace, complete with your very own hammock. The pool is right off of the beach and features beach views. Each room also has it's own kitchenette and a complimentary breakfast delivered to you in the morning.

Playa Palms Beach Hotel

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort features spectacular design in the midst of the most vibrant, modern and innovative area of Playa del Carmen. Its extraordinary location right on the turquoise waters of the Caribbean is a wonderful option for those seeking a break at one of the most beloved beach area. Featuring a full service spa, multiple high end restaurants, and still just a block from 5th Ave, this will make for a luxurious wedding weekend stay.

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort

Just steps from Playa del Carmen's famous Fifth Avenue, the AAA Four-Diamond all inclusive resort boasts lavish all-suite accommodations, all with private balconies or terraces and whirlpool tubs, plus special options such as swim up suites and beachfront walkouts. Beach butlers and romance concierges provide Royal Service as you enjoy the exquisite cuisine of seven gourmet restaurants or sip a cocktail at one of the lounges, the swim up bar or tequileria. Unwind by the tranquil relaxation pool or in the luxurious spa. Play volleyball in the oceanfront pool or enjoy snorkeling, tennis, culinary classes and live music. Endless options and ultimate luxury are all included in this adults only resort.

The Royal Playa del Carmen

Set in a tropical landscape of palm trees, soft sand and sparkling azure sea, combining a AAA Four Diamond award designation with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nowresorts.com/sapphire/unlimited-luxury">Unlimited-Luxury®</a>amenities, Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun redefines all-inclusive and offers the perfect escape for families with teens and tweens, couples and friends.

Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun

Set along a natural white-sand beach in the Riviera Maya, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and the crystal-clear Caribbean, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa is a luxurious oasis for couples and couples with children. Ideally located close to the excitement of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, this AAA Four Diamond resort is an enchanting wonderland of glistening pools and impressive ocean views with unique octagonal-shaped rooms and suites.

Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa

Set along 2,600 feet of pure crystal white sand and refreshing azure waters, combining understated sophistication with&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nowresorts.com/jade/unlimited-luxury">Unlimited-Luxury®</a>&nbsp;amenities, Now Jade Riviera Cancun redefines all-inclusive and offers the perfect escape for couples, families and friends.

Ariane & Mike

Ariane & Mike

A&M

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception